Pedestrian / cyclist collision

The Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition (PasCSC) is an organization that advocates for safe transportation and street infrastructure for people to move safely using transit, bicycles and their own two feet.  We received a message from a member of another organization that regularly opposes these safety goals with regard to a highly unusual collision involving a cyclist and an elderly pedestrian. Here is a response from one of our members:  

Thank you for reaching out to Pasadena Complete Street Coalition. We hope the injured woman recovers well from her injuries and that the perpetrator is apprehended.

Pasadena CSC decries road violence in any form; this incident underscores the need to protect vulnerable road users with safe street design.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration shows that Pasadena holds the unwelcome distinction of being in the nation’s top ten for pedestrian fatalities. Daily car crashes exert a heavy toll on Pasadena residents: the expense of emergency room and medical care, physical therapy, vehicle repair / replacement and lost time from work.  All residents have to pay for police and paramedic response, road repair, broken signs, traffic signals, street light repair and replacement, cleanup of broken glass and the debris field of crashes.

 It’s heartening that you share our grave concern for the safety of vulnerable road users, like seniors.

 The AARP advocates “a roadway that’s designed for all users, often referred to as a ’complete street.’ ” California’s Office of Traffic Safety supports a “Complete Streets Safety Assessment to assist local  agencies statewide in identifying and implementing infrastructure improvements for pedestrian safety.” Reports from cities worldwide depicted here, here and here show the protective effect – for seniors as well as motorists – of safe street design.

As proud residents of Pasadena, we embrace the city’s progressive stance that makes it a globally recognized destination, and will work to join other cities around the world that are prioritizing road safety and residents’ quality of life by lowering speed limits: the city of Bologna, Italy has already experienced a 21 per cent reduction in car crashes in the first two weeks.

Thank you again for connecting with Pasadena CSC, who stands with the AARP, the California Office of Traffic Safety, Caltrans, and other agencies nationally and worldwide to support safe street design for the benefit of all road users.